Marcolin
Italian eyewear manufacturer and brand-management company producing optical frames and sunglasses under proprietary and licensed labels.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Marcolin is an Italian eyewear manufacturer headquartered in Longarone in the Veneto region. Founded in 1961 by Giovanni Marcolin Coffen, the company began as a small artisan producer of gold-laminated temples for spectacles and later developed into an international designer-eyewear group. Its business combines product design, manufacturing, brand licensing, wholesale distribution, and the management of relationships with fashion, luxury, sportswear, and lifestyle labels. The company serves two complementary roles in the eyewear industry. It develops and markets proprietary brands while also designing, producing, and distributing frames and sunglasses under license from external brand owners. Its licensed portfolio has included labels such as Tom Ford, Adidas, Skechers, Christian Louboutin, and Max Mara. This model allows Marcolin to use its industrial and commercial platform across multiple price segments while giving fashion and lifestyle companies access to specialist eyewear development and distribution capabilities. Marcolin expanded internationally at an early stage. It entered the United States in 1968 and subsequently established offices in France, Switzerland, and Germany. By the 1980s, it was producing approximately one million frames annually. The company later became one of Italy's largest eyewear manufacturers and, by 2012, was described as the country's third-largest producer after Luxottica and Safilo. Ownership and corporate structure have changed several times. French private-equity firm PAI Partners acquired a majority stake in 2012, initially holding approximately 78 percent and later increasing its ownership to about 83 percent in 2019. Marcolin also entered a strategic relationship with LVMH, selling the luxury group a minority stake in Marcolin and jointly establishing Thélios, an eyewear manufacturing venture in which Marcolin held 49 percent. The relationship ended in 2021: LVMH acquired Marcolin's interest in Thélios, while Marcolin bought back LVMH's minority stake in Marcolin. Marcolin continued to expand its portfolio through acquisitions, including the purchase of German eyewear maker Ic! berlin in 2021. The business reported strong long-term revenue growth apart from the pandemic-affected year 2020; reported revenue reached €547 million in 2022. In 2025, VSP Vision announced and subsequently completed its acquisition of Marcolin from PAI Partners and minority shareholders. Under VSP Vision ownership, Marcolin remains an international eyewear platform focused on branded optical frames and sunglasses, licensing partnerships, manufacturing, and global distribution.
History
Marcolin was established in Veneto in 1961 by Giovanni Marcolin Coffen under the original name Fabbrica artigiana. Its first activity was the manufacture of gold-laminated temples, a specialized component used in eyewear. The business developed from this artisan foundation into a broader frame manufacturer as demand for industrially produced optical goods and fashion-linked eyewear increased. International expansion began with entry into the United States in 1968. Marcolin subsequently opened offices in France, Switzerland, and Germany, creating a direct commercial presence in important European and North American markets. By the 1980s, the company was producing around one million frames per year. Its later business model combined in-house product development with licensing arrangements that connected eyewear collections to recognized fashion, luxury, sportswear, and lifestyle names. By 2012, Marcolin was regarded as Italy's third-largest eyewear manufacturer, behind Luxottica and Safilo. That year, French private-equity firm PAI Partners acquired a majority stake. PAI's initial holding was reported at approximately 78 percent and increased to about 83 percent in December 2019. During this period, Marcolin expanded its international operations and developed a sizable portfolio of proprietary and licensed labels. The company later stated that it sold 14.6 million pairs of eyeglasses in 2018. Marcolin also formed a strategic relationship with LVMH. LVMH acquired a 10 percent interest in Marcolin, while the two companies established Thélios as an eyewear manufacturing venture. Marcolin held 49 percent of Thélios. The partnership gave LVMH a dedicated eyewear platform for its luxury brands while providing Marcolin with a relationship to one of the world's largest luxury groups. In December 2021, the arrangement was restructured. LVMH acquired Marcolin's stake in Thélios, and Marcolin repurchased LVMH's minority holding in Marcolin. The company continued to pursue portfolio expansion. In 2021, it acquired German eyewear producer Ic! berlin, known for its technically distinctive frames. Marcolin's licensing activities also continued, including a renewal of its agreement with Skechers through 2024. From 2013 to 2022, the company's annual revenue reportedly increased each year except 2020, when the eyewear sector was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Revenue reached €547 million in 2022. In 2024, shareholders sought a valuation of the business and Marcolin attracted interest from several possible buyers, including major eyewear and investment groups. In September 2025, VSP Vision announced an agreement to acquire Marcolin from PAI Partners and minority shareholders. VSP Vision completed the transaction in December 2025. The acquisition placed Marcolin within the VSP Vision group while preserving its role as an international designer-eyewear manufacturer, licensee, and distributor.
- 2025
VSP Vision completes the acquisition
[1]VSP Vision completes its purchase of Marcolin from PAI Partners and minority shareholders.
- 2022
Revenue reaches €547 million
[1]Reported annual revenue reaches €547 million after growth in every year from 2013 except 2020.
- 2021
Acquisition of Ic! berlin
[1]Marcolin acquires German eyewear manufacturer Ic! berlin.
- 2021
Thélios partnership is restructured
[1]LVMH acquires Marcolin's interest in Thélios, while Marcolin repurchases LVMH's minority stake in Marcolin.
- 2019
PAI Partners increases its ownership
[1]PAI Partners' holding rises to approximately 83 percent in December.
- 2018
Reported sales reach 14.6 million eyeglasses
[1]Marcolin reported selling 14.6 million eyeglasses during the year.
- 2012
PAI Partners acquires a majority stake
[1]PAI Partners becomes Marcolin's majority owner, beginning a period of private-equity ownership and international development.
- 1980
Production reaches approximately one million frames annually
[1]By the 1980s, Marcolin's production capacity had grown to roughly one million frames per year.
- 1968
Entry into the United States
[1]Marcolin expands outside Italy by entering the United States.
- 1961
Marcolin is founded in Veneto
[1]Giovanni Marcolin Coffen establishes the company, initially known as Fabbrica artigiana, to manufacture gold-laminated eyewear temples.
Products and positioning
International, design-led eyewear manufacturer and licensee serving luxury, fashion, sportswear, and lifestyle brands.
Prescription eyewear
Optical frames
Marcolin designs, manufactures, and distributes optical frames for prescription lenses across fashion, luxury, sportswear, and lifestyle segments. The collections are sold through professional optical channels and international wholesale networks, often carrying the visual identity of a licensed or proprietary brand.
Fashion eyewear
Sunglasses
Sunglasses are a core Marcolin product category. The company develops seasonal collections incorporating brand-specific design codes, materials, colors, and optical technologies for luxury, fashion, sportswear, and lifestyle labels.
Licensed luxury eyewear
Tom Ford eyewear
Tom Ford eyewear is part of Marcolin's licensed portfolio. The line translates the fashion house's refined, contemporary luxury positioning into optical frames and sunglasses distributed through premium optical and fashion channels.
Licensed sportswear eyewear
Adidas eyewear
Adidas eyewear represents Marcolin's sportswear licensing activity, applying the Adidas brand to optical and sun products intended to combine active-lifestyle styling with everyday wearability.
Licensed lifestyle eyewear
Skechers eyewear
Skechers eyewear is produced and distributed through Marcolin's licensing relationship with the footwear and lifestyle brand. The range includes optical frames and sunglasses designed for accessible, casual, and active-oriented consumers.
Licensed luxury eyewear
Christian Louboutin eyewear
Christian Louboutin eyewear extends the luxury fashion label into optical frames and sunglasses. Marcolin applies its eyewear manufacturing and distribution capabilities to products carrying the brand's distinctive high-fashion positioning.
Licensed fashion eyewear
Max Mara eyewear
Max Mara eyewear is part of Marcolin's fashion-brand portfolio, offering optical and sun collections aligned with Max Mara's understated, sophisticated approach to womenswear and accessories.
Proprietary or group brand eyewear · 2021
Ic! berlin eyewear
Ic! berlin became part of Marcolin through the 2021 acquisition of the German eyewear manufacturer. The brand is associated with technically distinctive, lightweight frame design and adds an independent specialist label to Marcolin's broader portfolio.
Brand decisions
2025
Sale to VSP VisionM&ABackground
After PAI Partners had been Marcolin's majority owner since 2012, shareholders pursued a valuation and the company attracted interest from several potential buyers.
Action taken
VSP Vision announced the acquisition of Marcolin from PAI Partners and minority shareholders in September 2025 and completed the purchase in December 2025.
Aftermath
Marcolin became part of VSP Vision while continuing as an international eyewear manufacturing, licensing, and distribution business.
2021
Restructuring of the LVMH and Thélios relationshipM&ABackground
Marcolin and LVMH had created Thélios as a dedicated eyewear manufacturing venture, with Marcolin holding 49 percent and LVMH owning a minority stake in Marcolin.
Action taken
LVMH acquired Marcolin's 49 percent stake in Thélios, while Marcolin bought back LVMH's 10 percent interest in Marcolin.
Aftermath
The transaction separated the two companies' ownership interests and left Marcolin independent of LVMH's Thélios platform.
2021
Acquisition of Ic! berlinM&ABackground
Marcolin sought to broaden its brand and manufacturing portfolio within the specialist eyewear sector.
Action taken
Marcolin acquired German eyewear manufacturer Ic! berlin.
Aftermath
Ic! berlin became part of Marcolin's portfolio, strengthening the group's presence in technically oriented independent eyewear.
Recent events
Reported
Marcolin and Treedom announce a three-year partnership[3]
Marcolin announced a three-year partnership with Treedom. Marcolin, together with Timberland Eyewear, will support Treedom's planting of 10,000 trees.
Reported
Adidas launches 3D CMPT limited-edition sunglasses[4]
Adidas launched its 3D CMPT limited-edition sunglasses, made using additive manufacturing and produced in batches of 150 pairs. The article says they would be available in the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe for $415, with buyers required to join Adidas Creators Club.
Reported
Marcolin updates its corporate logo[5]
Marcolin retooled its corporate logo, removing the word “eyewear,” and created a separate anniversary emblem.
Reported
Marcolin and Diesel end eyewear licensing deal[5]
Marcolin and Diesel mutually agreed to end their licensing deal for Diesel eyewear collections after almost a decade of partnership.
Reported
GCDS collaborates with Marcolin on eyewear[6]
GCDS’s new sunglasses collection was made in collaboration with and licensed by Marcolin.
Sources6 sources
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